Hi everyone, I really need some advice on how to cope with working hours. Ok, so abit of context.
Im from SG and graduated here. However, I moved overseas to a Nordic country to work for several years and just moved back here and I simply cannot cope with the much harsher working conditions back home.
Here’s some fact about my previous employment:
– My income is approx SGD$13000-ish when converted (but do not be fooled into thinking thats high because taxes are 46% here and the cost of living here is much much higher)
So even though Ill be taking a 5k pay cut if I move back, after taxes and CPF, I’m still better off in Singapore.
I had no problems finding a job here because it is an industry Singapore is just starting to venture into and thus, most companies lack experienced workers in said field whereas my country of employment has had decades of experience with it.
Now here’s the problem. I have to start at 8.30am and I realised that I’m only going home at 7+pm and I even have to come back on weekends! I know this sounds normal to most people but it really is not for me. Technically speaking, this would be my first employment in SG so I’m telling myself things will get better once I’m used to the lifestyle back home (after all I freaking lived and studied my entire life here) but I really can’t. Its just too big a jump.
Previously, my working hours were from 8.30am to 4.30pm with a 1.5 hour lunch/nap break in between and we are mandated by law to be provided with a minimum of 24 weekdays of paid leave per year (which companies are required to extend to a minimum of 25 days after 5 years of employment). Here the leave I get is barely enough for me to get a break!
So I’m asking how do I cope with the working hours here? Will I get better with time? because I truly feel MISERABLE working here. Maybe I just became weak after working in a country with good labour laws.
Here are what netizens think:
- verything is about opportunity costs. When you said pay is better off, you aren’t really better off in this way. Bcos in terms of time, work arrangements, you’ll need to do more. So by getting a higher pay, lower taxes you’ll need to pay the opportunity costs of having longer work hours. Its now up to you if you want to sacrifice your time in return for money isn’t it? Happiness vs Money vs Time. Which is your priority in life?  in any case there’s always trade offs.
- Given the high and extremely progressive income tax in Nordic countries, it is rational for them to take more leisure and less work.Given the low and less progressive income tax in Singapore, it is rational for us to take less leisure and more work.Its all about making rational decisions for the people in both countries.
- Well, I work for a Nordic company in Singapore and I also have experience working overseas hence understand what you are saying.Work life balance is supposedly better in Nordic companies (Swedish/Finnish/Danish). But still if based in Singapore, you need to manage your expectations to put in more. You cannot expect to get paid better and yet expect the same benefits. It doesn’t work that way.Manage your expectations, or otherwise, you need to go back to where you were. Singaporeans are known to be resilient in adversity. Give yourself some time, and I’m sure you will slowly get used to be home